Electric-switch-operating mechanism



May 27, 1930. w. K. RANKIN ELECTRIC SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed May28 Inventor William K.R 1nkn,

'HLs Attornqy.

Patented May 27, 1930 UNETE STATES PATENT QF-FICE W'ILLIAIE K. RANKIN,OF SCOTIA, NEW YORK ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COM- PALTY, ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK ELECTEIC-STHITGH-OPERAIING, MECHANISMApplication filed May 28,

My invention relates to electric switches and particularly to apower-actuated mechanism for operating an electric switch. An object ofmy invention is to provide a compact, self-contained and inexpensiveenclosing and supporting structure for the operating mechanism of anoutdoor switch whereby the operating mechanism will be protected fromthe weather without the provision of an additional protective structurebuilt around it.

My invention will be better understood. from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will bepointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation, with portionsbroken away, of a switch operating mechanism embodying my invention andFig. 2 shows a three-phase outdoor oil switch including the mechanismshown in Fig. 1.

In the drawing, Fig. 2, he three-phase switch 1 with which I haveillustrated my invention comprises three spaced units 2, 3 and 4supported in an elevated position by the framework 5. Each unit has itsown paralleling mechanism enclosed. by the housing 6, the separatehousings being connected to gether by pipes 7 through which an operatingrod passes.

The switch operating mechanism 10, shown on a larger scale in Fig. 1,for operating the three units comprises in part the base plate 11 havingthe depending lug 12 and the hollow supporting member 13 secured to theunder side of the base plate and having feet-- like projections 14thereon. Mounted on the top of the base plate is the latching and tripping mechanism 16 enclosed by the casing 17 also secured to the top ofthe base plate. For the actuation of the mechanism I have shown asolenoid device 18, the coils 19 of which raise the plunger or armature20 when energized. The plunger passes through the opening 21 in the baseplate with suitable clearance and carries at its upper end a guide rod,22. The coils and plunger are covered by a weather-proof casing 24 whichis bolted to the top of the base plate 11. The bushing 1926. Serial No.112,411.

25 shown screw-tl1readed into the top of the casing 24 has a guideopening for the rod 22 and a shoulder 26 covered by a non-magneticspacer for limiting the upward movement of the plunger. The cap 27 isshown threaded on the bushing 25 for covering the guide rod 22 andbushing 25. In accordance with this construction the casing 24 forms aweatherproof enclosure for the coils and plunger and, together with thebushing 25 and that portion of the base plate surrounding the opening21, also forms the return path of the magnetic circuit or" the coils 19.

Within the hollow supporting member 13 are the operating members bywhich upward movement of the plunger, shown in Fig. l in its operatedposition, transmits upward movement to the main operating rod 30 whichconnects with the paralleling mechanism of the three switch units 2, 3and 4. These op crating members, which are disclosed and claimed in mycopending application Serial No. 62,642, filed October 15, 1925, andassigned to the same assignee as the present application, comprise themain lever 31 which is pivotally mounted on the lug 12 and to which ispivoted the operating rod 30, the floating lever. 32 which has rollerand which is carried by the bell crank also supported by lug 12, andlinks 35, 36 and 37 by which connection is made between the plung er 20and the floating lever 32 so as to give this lever the desired movement.The latch-. ing mechanism 16 by its connection with the lever 84 retainsthe main lever 31 in closed circuit position. Extending between thehollow supporting member 13 and the housing 6 of switch unit 4 andenclosing the main operating rod 30 is the tube or pipe 40. At the endof the member 13 opposite the pipe 40 I have shown a terminal box 41 atthe bottom of which the cable 42 is shown entering For inspecting theoperating parts in the hollow member 13 the side of the member isprovided with a large opening which is normally covered by a tightfitting cover 42. Casing 17 is also provided with a side opening whichis closed by a tight cover 43.

Access to the mechanism for the purpose of repair or replacement isreadily had by merely lifting the base plate 11 off the hollow member13, the main lever 31 having previously been disconnected from the rod30 by reaching in through the opening covered by plate 42.

By the above described construction it will be seen that I have provideda switch operating mechanism whose structure is such as to completelyenclose the moving parts, coils, etc., whereby the mechanism isprotected from the weather and adapted for outdoor use without thenecessity of providing any additional housing therefor. A considerablesaving in the cost of the equipment is thereby effected and also a morecompact arrangement is provided over former constructions which involvedthe use of a separately constructed housing for the operating mechanism.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is:

1. A solenoid actuated switch operating mechanism comprising a hollowsupporting member, a removable base plate forming a cover therefor andhaving openings therethrough, lever and link mechanism caaied therebywithin the hollow member, a solenoid and a tripping mechanism on thebase plate operatively connected through said openings with the leverand link mechanism, and protective coverings for said solenoid and saidtripping mechanism fitting the base plate and covering the openingstherein.

2. A solenoid-actuated switch operating mechanism comprising a baseplate, an operating rod, a lever pivoted thereto and supported by saidbase plate, a solenoid having an enclosing casing forming a part of thereturn magnetic circuit thereof secured to said base plate and having aplunger conneeted with said lever, and means comprising a hollow membersecured to said base plate and cooperating therewith and with thesolenoid casing to form a weather-proof enclosure for the operatingparts of the mechanism, said operating rod extending from said hollowmember and provided with enclosing means coextensive therewith.

3. A solenoid-actuated switch operating mechanism comprising a baseplate, lever mechanism pivoted thereto, an operating rod pivotallyconnected to the lever mechanism, a solenoid having a plunger connectedwith said lever mechanism and having an enclosing casing forming a partof its magnetic cirwit and secured on said base plate, a tubular casingfor said operating rod, and a hollow supporting member for said baseplate, said member in cooperation with said base plate, said solenoidcasing and said rod casing forming a weatherproof housing for theoperating parts of the mechanism.

4. A solenoid-actuated switch operating mechanism comprising a baseplate having a depending lug, an operating rod, a tubular casingtherefor, lever mechanism pivotally supported by said lug and connectedto said rod, a solenoid mounted on the top of said base plate having aplunger therein connected with said lever mechanism and having anenclosing casing forming one part of the return magnetic circuittherefor, said base plate having an opening therein adapted to receivesaid plunger, the portion of the base plate surrounding said openingforming an other part of said return magnetic circuit, and a supportingcasing for said lever mechanism secured to the under side of said baseplate and connected with said tubular ca-s ing.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of May,19:26.

WVILLIAM K. RANKIN.

